The main part of the church is one of very few buildings in central Melbourne which were built before the Victorian gold rush of 1851. This was well before the economic boom that occurred in 1880... which is where the city began to flourish with stunning buildings and was the wealthiest city in the world at the time.
Noted as the first church in the state, it was designed by Samuel Jackson in a simple Gothic style. Jackson was born in London and is noted as a pastoralist and architect. The following are his recorded works: the first St Francis', 1839; the second St Francis', 1841; the first Scots Church, 1841; St Patrick's Hall, 1847; St Mary of the Angels, 1846; Melbourne Hospital, 1846; St Patrick's Church, 1850; St Paul's, Coburg, 1850; the Tower House, Flinders Street; a residence for Colonel Anderson; and a warehouse in North Geelong.
The church had many adaptions over the years; a cedar ceiling (1850), a chapel (1856), a sanctuary (1879) and a front porch was added in 1956.
It is located on a very busy corner of Lonsdale and Elizabeth Streets. It is quite striking amidst the busy cityscape around it.